Chris Fessler Wins 2017 NFBC Main Event & $125,000

[Greg Ambrosius]

Congratulations to Chris Fessler of Florence, Kentucky as he is the 2017 NFBC Main Event champion!! Chris joins a select group of 12 other NFBC Main Event champions as he takes home the $125,000 grand prize and the $6,500 league prize. Chris drafted in Las Vegas on the Second Weekend and won the April 1st Las Vegas League 3 title with 138.5 points. Great job Chris.

Chris drafted out of the 7th spot and started his team with Jose Altuve, followed by Corey Kluber and Jacob DeGrom. His key draft picks were Robbie Ray in the 14th Round, Aaron Judge in the 22nd Round and Sonny Gray in Round 27. An innocent $4 bid on Scooter Gennet in the third week of FAAB paid huge dividends, while a $7 bid April 30th on Corey Knebel also helped him to the top. In mid-May, he added Addison Reed for $429 to solidify Saves and his team did the rest from there.

Chris first joined the NFBC in 2012 with one Rotowire Online Championship team. He took another Online Championship team in 2013 before joining his first Main Event in 2014. He went back to the Online Championship in 2015 with multiple teams, but then did one Main Event in 2016. He won that league title handily, finished 7th overall and was hooked.

This year Chris took four Main Event teams -- while drafting live in Las Vegas for the first time -- a Super and four Online Championship teams. He won two Main Event leagues -- he won his March 30th league by a half-point -- and finished 1st and 6th overall. He also finished second in two Online Championship leagues, and 3rd & 4th in the other two. His total winnings this year was $146,900.

Chris's winning total of 4,343.5 points was 90.49 percent of the available points in the contest. He won by 38 points and didn't secure the top spot for good until the final 10 days of the season. Doug Cassidy drafted out of New York and finished second to win $35,000. The team of Robert Rowe and Matt Spalding also drafted out of New York and finished third to win $25,000.

Clark Olson, who won the $150,000 in the 2016 NFFC Primetime, finished fourth overall to win $15,000, while Danny Bronski finished fifth to win $10,000. rounding out our overall prize winners were Chris Fessler ($7,500), Dustin Wagner ($5,000), Josh Lindell ($3,500), Joe Berg (8th and 9th overall for a total of $5,500) and Daniel DaSilva ($2,000).

Great, great job everyone. It was a year in which we had a record 480 teams (32 leagues) and many incredible performances. It was a year in which your 22nd round pick (maybe Aaron Judge) was as important as your first pick. It was a year in which you could possibly find Cody Bellinger in the last round or in FAAB, while Scooter Gennett and Corey Knebel were as important as any second baseman or closer you could find in the draft. Just a wild, wild year.

Look for a list of Main Event league champions and more to come soon. Great job all and CONGRATS.

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here's a look at the final standings in the 2017 NFBC Main Event:

NFBC Top 100 Teams In The 2017 NFBC Main Event:
Rank Team Owner League Draft Pos Batting Pts Pitching Pts Overall Pts Change
1 Fire Dynasty BC Chris Fessler Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 3 7 2,119.0 2,224.5 4,343.5 0.0
2 Uptown Baby Doug Cassidy Main Event New York March 25 League 4 6 2,138.5 2,167.0 4,305.5 +5.5
3 We Got the Runs Robert Rowe Main Event New York March 26 League 12 2,128.0 2,144.5 4,272.5 +2.0
Matt Spalding
4 Hell Bent For Leather Clark Olson Main Event Online March 25 League 2 4 2,243.5 2,018.0 4,261.5 -8.0
5 Paradoxical Hrbek Danny Bronski Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 7 2,196.0 2,036.0 4,232.0 -14.0
6 Fessler's Fire Chris Fessler Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 2 7 2,153.5 2,037.5 4,191.0 -18.0
7 Team Never Lucky Dustin Wagner Main Event New York March 25 League 3 9 1,906.5 2,224.0 4,130.5 -3.5
8 I Love Don Denkinger Josh Lindell Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 3 7 1,918.0 2,131.5 4,049.5 +5.0
9 Money III Joe Berg Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 2 15 1,904.5 2,092.0 3,996.5 +35.0
10 Money II Joe Berg Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 2 8 1,707.0 2,277.5 3,984.5 +19.0
11 New World Order Daniel DaSilva Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 4 5 2,077.5 1,816.0 3,893.5 -29.5
12 Mr. Wilhelm's B Squad Phil D Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 6 1,575.0 2,305.0 3,880.0 -7.5
13 RotoGut Main Vlad Sedler Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 6 13 1,771.5 2,099.5 3,871.0 +18.5
14 Rockwell's Trollhunters Richard Kulaski Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 2 8 2,065.0 1,798.5 3,863.5 +15.5
15 Sultans of Smack Stephen Fiore Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 3 8 1,646.5 2,187.5 3,834.0 -57.0
16 bluebloods David Deterra Main Event New York March 25 League 1 10 1,605.0 2,222.5 3,827.5 +27.5
17 Team Withrow Kelly Withrow Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 5 13 1,729.0 2,065.0 3,794.0 +12.0
Dave Bergman
18 Edwards Bay Fox Pen Wayne Edwards Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 2 7 1,714.5 2,068.0 3,782.5 -6.5
19 Doctor Who Dustin Wagner Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 2 10 1,999.0 1,732.0 3,731.0 -34.0
20 Trunk Monkey Gary Allen Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 3 3 1,787.5 1,915.0 3,702.5 +24.5
21 Spartacus Bob Mazur Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 1 12 1,980.5 1,684.5 3,665.0 -20.5
22 Don Diego Mike Matyja Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 3 7 1,958.5 1,695.0 3,653.5 +4.5
23 How U Doin ME2 Richard DiMondo Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 2 5 1,923.0 1,728.0 3,651.0 -27.0
24 Fast Eddie Felson ME Reid Landry Main Event Online March 25 League 3 7 1,626.5 2,012.0 3,638.5 +86.0
Brad Thibodeaux
25 Oaktown 2 Scott Jenstad Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 1 2 1,464.0 2,170.5 3,634.5 +8.5
26 Crockett and Tubbs Scott Kaplan Main Event New York March 25 League 4 10 1,785.0 1,849.5 3,634.5 -39.0
Michael Edelman
27 Home Run Derbies Bleed Green Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 3 5 2,206.5 1,399.5 3,606.0 -5.5
28 Der Komminsk Danny Bronski Main Event Online March 25 League 1 2 1,981.0 1,623.5 3,604.5 +3.0
29 Texas Connection Jon Stadtmueller Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 4 6 1,344.0 2,249.5 3,593.5 -9.5
30 Cali Cartel Ronny Mor Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 5 15 1,855.0 1,738.0 3,593.0 -14.5
Russ Prentice
31 DOUGHBOYS Dan Kenyon Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 3 12 1,941.5 1,641.5 3,583.0 +30.5
32 Winning Fantasy Baseball Larry Schechter Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 5 8 1,361.5 2,197.5 3,559.0 +12.5
33 Evil Empire Steve Brunn Main Event New York March 26 League 11 2,071.5 1,467.5 3,539.0 +12.5
34 Oaktown Scott Jenstad Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 1 13 2,045.5 1,490.0 3,535.5 +15.0
35 Dead Red T OB Main Event Online March 25 League 3 2 1,759.5 1,766.0 3,525.5 -15.0
Steve Dittes
36 deadmoney5 kc cha Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 1 1 1,566.0 1,945.0 3,511.0 -19.0
37 Dutch Mafia John Pausma Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 2 6 1,539.5 1,936.5 3,476.0 +29.5
38 Soggy Bottom Boys Brian Slack Main Event Online March 25 League 3 13 1,907.5 1,551.0 3,458.5 -15.0
Nickolaus Sackett
39 Puddle of Nud 4/1 Ned Donohue Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 1 2 1,852.0 1,586.0 3,438.0 +82.5
40 Quahogs ME NY Stephen Jupinka Main Event New York March 25 League 2 6 1,625.0 1,804.5 3,429.5 +2.5
41 Team Taylor Dave Taylor Main Event New York March 25 League 4 3 1,748.0 1,670.0 3,418.0 +46.5
42 Cleveland Dustmites Jake Halusker Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 4 3 1,784.5 1,629.5 3,414.0 -14.5
43 deadmoney6 kc cha Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 4 5 1,923.0 1,488.5 3,411.5 -28.0
44 Hell Bent For Leather Clark Olson Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 15 1,447.5 1,962.0 3,409.5 -2.0
45 MustSeeTV314{M2} Derek Pierson Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 2 11 1,771.0 1,633.5 3,404.5 +95.0
46 Miami Mac Rey Diaz Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 4 11 1,756.0 1,640.5 3,396.5 +3.0
47 K9 || LV1 KJ Duke Main Event Online March 25 League 1 14 1,460.0 1,935.5 3,395.5 +7.5
48 D'Glester Hardunkichud Rian Lange Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 1 8 1,649.5 1,731.5 3,381.0 +37.0
49 Sultans of Smack Stephen Fiore Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 2 4 1,992.5 1,388.5 3,381.0 +129.0
50 Incredible Hulking Us NY1 Michael Edelman Main Event New York March 25 League 1 3 1,291.5 2,085.5 3,377.0 -46.0
Scott Kaplan
51 Miggy's Crown Charlie Licari Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 2 10 1,657.0 1,710.0 3,367.0 +19.5
52 PTBNLs Michael Crescenzi Main Event Online March 27 8 pm ET League 1 11 1,844.0 1,516.5 3,360.5 -2.5
53 Emma/Srebro Main NYC Mark Srebro Main Event New York March 25 League 4 9 1,143.5 2,211.5 3,355.0 -9.0
Jason Emma
54 Team Warner Don Warner Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 1 7 1,571.5 1,783.0 3,354.5 -21.0
55 Puddle of Nud NY Ned Donohue Main Event New York March 25 League 3 2 1,969.0 1,375.0 3,344.0 -31.5
56 Team passalacqua damien passalacqua Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 2 11 1,307.5 2,029.5 3,337.0 -14.0
57 Vegas Vandals Ryan Atkins Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 1 14 1,633.5 1,695.5 3,329.0 +22.0
Sam Erickson
58 Team Pinkstaff Bradley Pinkstaff Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 1 11 1,189.5 2,128.5 3,318.0 -30.5
59 Demolition Russell Weyland Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 1 7 1,808.0 1,507.0 3,315.0 -39.5
60 Ray Rays Revenge Robbie Brown Main Event Chicago League 7 1,933.0 1,381.0 3,314.0 -2.0
61 The Ron Jeremy of Midget Porn Dan Semsel Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 1 2 1,508.0 1,794.0 3,302.0 +8.5
Gaetan Lavoie
62 Atlanta 4 4 4's Mike Duggan Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 1 6 1,795.5 1,487.0 3,282.5 -17.0
63 Glenneration X Glenn Lowy Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 6 3 1,580.5 1,692.5 3,273.0 -49.5
64 Team Kaufmann Andy Kaufmann Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 1 7 2,144.5 1,127.0 3,271.5 -24.5
65 Diamond Kings John Kadubec Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 5 15 1,781.5 1,487.5 3,269.0 -11.0
66 Low Talkers Dave Potts Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 1 10 1,884.0 1,384.0 3,268.0 -15.0
67 BNBears Ken O'Brien Main Event Las Vegas March 30 5 pm PT 15 2,155.0 1,108.0 3,263.0 -7.5
68 Low Talkers Dave Potts Main Event Online March 27 8 pm ET League 2 7 1,688.0 1,556.5 3,244.5 0.0
69 Team Libros B Libros Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 3 11 1,342.5 1,900.0 3,242.5 +23.5
70 Lambda Lambda Lambda Les Travis Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 2 14 1,424.0 1,812.0 3,236.0 -8.0
71 I'm Your Huckleberry Ante Meich Main Event New York March 25 League 2 10 1,692.5 1,540.0 3,232.5 +0.5
72 President Jesus Mike Meehan Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 3 3 1,205.0 2,027.5 3,232.5 -11.0
Joseph Meehan
73 K9 || LV3 KJ Duke Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 2 11 2,140.0 1,091.5 3,231.5 +2.0
74 King of Queens Glenn Schroter Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 1 13 1,835.0 1,393.0 3,228.0 -19.0
75 Red Mule Red Mule Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 3 2 1,337.0 1,889.5 3,226.5 -16.0
76 Mr. Wilhelm's A Squad Phil D Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 1 13 1,600.0 1,622.5 3,222.5 +3.0
77 Worst Russians Ever Gregory Glukhovsky Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 3 6 1,831.0 1,386.5 3,217.5 +73.5
Philip Glukhovsky
78 JK ALL THE WAY MAIN Kyle Brinkmann Main Event Online March 25 League 3 6 1,587.0 1,621.5 3,208.5 -56.5
79 deadmoney4 kc cha Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 2 13 1,553.5 1,651.0 3,204.5 -29.0
80 Team Libros B Libros Main Event Online March 27 8 pm ET League 2 8 1,609.0 1,586.0 3,195.0 -12.0
81 Mr.October Erik Sudigala Main Event New York March 25 League 2 14 1,730.0 1,462.0 3,192.0 +34.0
82 Champagne Swag Mike Meehan Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 1 8 1,579.0 1,609.5 3,188.5 +14.5
Joseph Meehan
83 Brock The House Hal Goldstein Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 9 1,989.0 1,198.0 3,187.0 +11.5
84 The Flaming Roosters Kyle Borth Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 1 13 1,765.0 1,415.0 3,180.0 +5.0
85 Shug Knights Josh Shugart Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 2 8 1,471.0 1,708.0 3,179.0 -16.0
86 KILLEBREW Eddie Gillis Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 6 4 1,815.0 1,361.0 3,176.0 +14.5
87 *Rog* Roger Martin Main Event Las Vegas March 25 League 1 4 1,385.0 1,761.5 3,146.5 +16.0
88 shorty043 bryan s Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 2 5 1,482.0 1,658.0 3,140.0 -22.0
89 The Notorious C.O.Z. Christopher Cosley Main Event Online March 27 8 pm ET League 1 3 1,243.0 1,886.5 3,129.5 +55.0
90 Team Madani Abdulaziz Madani Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 2 4 1,201.5 1,921.0 3,122.5 -10.5
91 Hell Bent For Leather Clark Olson Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 3 4 1,721.0 1,400.0 3,121.0 +9.0
92 Money IV Joe Berg Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 1 10 1,130.0 1,986.5 3,116.5 +23.5
93 Charlotte's Web Gems Dustin Wagner Main Event Online March 29 8 pm ET League 4 2 1,591.5 1,523.5 3,115.0 -19.5
Paul Sporer
94 Trunk Monkey Too Gary Allen Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 5 1,374.5 1,738.5 3,113.0 -26.0
95 Spartacus II Bob Mazur Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 3 8 1,375.0 1,736.5 3,111.5 +15.5
Dan Dolan
96 Serenity Now! LV Andre Bourcier Main Event Las Vegas April 1 League 6 2 1,552.0 1,551.5 3,103.5 -20.0
97 KIRKSVILLE OSTEOPATHS 1906 ASABERTOOTHED SABERMETRIST Main Event Chicago League 8 1,052.0 2,049.0 3,101.0 -14.5
98 Pine Tar Pros- ME4 Ty Parsons Main Event Online April 1 1 pm ET League 4 14 1,416.5 1,682.0 3,098.5 +11.5
Gregory Headrick
99 Team Brader Jeremy Brader Main Event Online March 30 8 pm ET League 3 9 1,146.5 1,946.5 3,093.0 -31.0
100 JK ALL THE WAY CHICAGO Kyle Brinkmann Main Event Chicago League 10 1,668.5 1,422.0 3,090.5 -30.5

[Greg Ambrosius]

Here's our updated list of Main Event champions. They include:

2004 - Artie Rastelli
2005 - Brian Oldenski
2006 - David DiDonato
2007 - Terry Haney
2008 - Robert Jurney
2009 - Lindy Hinkelman
2010 - Steve Jupinka
2011 - Lindy Hinkelman
2012 - Dave Potts
2013 - Ken Norred & Dan Semsel
2014 - Greg & Dale Morgan
2015 - Glenn Schroter
2016 - Rob Silver
2017 - Chris Fessler

[King of Queens]

Congrats to Chris! This was a fun race to watch -- awesome job by all of the top teams.

[Quahogs]

Chris, impressive body of work so far. Congrats on the big year!

[Money]

Great job Chris! As in past seasons you are a very deserving champ and join an elite group.

Congratulations.

[Texas Connection]

Congrats Chris on a great performance and a great year!

[Edwards Kings]

Well played and congrats Chris!

[low talkers]

Great season Chris. Congrats CHAMP!

[Doctor Who]

Congrats on an amazing season Chris. Your teams really took off in the second half and made them hard to catch. Well deserved!

[MadCow Sez]

Welcome to the club! Congratulations, Champ!

[Greg Ambrosius]

Let's take a look at Chris's winning draft from Las Vegas League 3:

1 7 Altuve, Jose 2B Fire Dynasty BC
2 9 Kluber, Corey P Fire Dynasty BC
3 7 deGrom, Jacob P Fire Dynasty BC
4 9 Posey, Buster C Fire Dynasty BC
5 7 Diaz, Edwin P Fire Dynasty BC
6 9 Schwarber, Kyle OF Fire Dynasty BC
7 7 LeMahieu, DJ 2B Fire Dynasty BC
8 9 Hosmer, Eric 1B Fire Dynasty BC
9 7 Rodriguez, Francisco P Fire Dynasty BC
10 9 Rendon, Anthony 3B Fire Dynasty BC
11 7 Anderson, Tim SS Fire Dynasty BC
12 9 Tomas, Yasmany OF Fire Dynasty BC
13 7 Healy, Ryon 3B Fire Dynasty BC
14 9 Ray, Robbie P Fire Dynasty BC
15 7 Ross, Joe P Fire Dynasty BC
16 9 Renfroe, Hunter OF Fire Dynasty BC
17 7 Travis, Devon 2B Fire Dynasty BC
18 9 Rupp, Cameron C Fire Dynasty BC
19 7 Jones, Nate P Fire Dynasty BC
20 9 Ryu, Hyun-Jin P Fire Dynasty BC
21 7 Choo, Shin-soo OF Fire Dynasty BC
22 9 Judge, Aaron OF Fire Dynasty BC
23 7 Naquin, Tyler OF Fire Dynasty BC
24 9 Bauer, Trevor P Fire Dynasty BC
25 7 Leake, Mike P Fire Dynasty BC
26 9 Montgomery, Mike P Fire Dynasty BC
27 7 Gray, Sonny P Fire Dynasty BC
28 9 Escobar, Alcides SS Fire Dynasty BC
29 7 Mauer, Joe 1B Fire Dynasty BC
30 9 May, Jacob OF Fire Dynasty BC

[JohnP]

Great win Chris. Congrats! Its so awesome to look back at the winning drafts. Roster construction is what makes baseball so different and special. Amazing job.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Wonderful job.
It seemed like the lead was held by so many over the last couple of weeks.
Like Musical Chairs.
Congrats for grabbing that last chair!

[cfolson]

Huge congratulations to Chris! Would have been nice to hold on, but losing to great competitors is, well, still losing, dammit.

[CASS]

Huge congratulations to Chris! Would have been nice to hold on, but losing to great competitors is, well, still losing, dammit.

My sentiments exactly...what a final few days

[cmfessler]

Thanks guys for all congratulatory notes. It's enjoyable to play against so many great competitors who share a similar passion about baseball as I do. Greg and Tom do such a great job setting up and running these top not events. I enjoyed meeting and talking baseball with those I meet in Vegas this year....it was so much fun. Looking forward to Vegas in 2018. Thanks again

[Greg Ambrosius]

I'm working on the NFBC Records document now for the new NFBC site and I noticed that Chris Fessler's NFBC Main Event championship team earned 90.49 percent of the available 4,800 points, which was the 2nd highest total ever. Only Ken Norred and Dan Semsel earned more when they earned 90.55 percent of the available points in 2013. Great job Chris.

We'll have a lot of facts and figures of our league champions and records this week as we tally update the NFBC Records for each contest and update our league champions lists. Should be fun.